Before and After

Day 1 - The beginning of the end of the garage project


The End of Day 1 (Chocolate Tomatoes and Boots Brigade)


Beginning of Day 2

End of Day 2 - No more garage!! (The Fun Bunch and The Gator-aids)

And the Walls Come Crumbling Down

The glue is all over us!!

We have been here for three days and let me just say.....WOW!! Sunday we had the wonderful privilege to see a fantastic and motivated Preacher J. B. Watkins at St. Roch Church. It was a powerful service with a diverse audience. We had the pleasure of having lunch with the congregation and enjoying their fellowship....What an enjoyable and Godly experience. We look forward to working with this congregation throughout the week....

Sunday afternoon we had the opportunity to visit the hardest hit areas of New Orleans, the 9th Ward. It was so desolate and disparaging to visit; however, the Lord opens our eyes to the light of renewal...I mean that's what it is all about...tearing us down and building us back up the right way...in God's way. We saw many lots with no houses and just steps, lots with concrete slabs, and vacant houses hammered by the hurricane with the furniture still left in it. A few blocks down the road there is an understanding why nothing was left. Steve brought us to the levees that brought New Orleans to ruins. I was awe-struck when it was realized that we were looking up to the water. The very thought that the the levee broke and all of the water from the canal came rushing in just makes you wonder how anyone had time to leave. God's will had me turn to the right to see a house being rebuilt. It is in his grip what he wants done and praise him that it is.

We begin to leave the 9th ward and pass by a couple of vans from another church helping to rebuild a house and the irony to that is I was thinking "are we the only ones helping?" Again, proof that God's plan is already mapped out for us.

Day 3 of our journey involved us returning to St. Roch church. What did they have in store for us today? Ben was our project leader and asked if anyone was handy in laying tile....immediately my wife shoves me out in front of the pack knowing full well I did not have any experience. God's will wants me to have experience or my wife...either way, I am willing to try it. I was placed with a husband and wife (Jamie and Sara :-) ) as well as my son.

The job seemed simple enough....find the center of the room, lay the tile to see if it is the best fit, and then lay the glue and place the tile.....simple enough. We get started and find that after the first 1/4 of the tiles were placed, the glue is very, very, very tacky. Jamie, Sara, Steve, and myself had a great system going, then we branched off. Steve teamed Sarah up with Kim and I was with Jamie...Jamie was a great partner with patience and a positive attitude. You needed that because coming close to the end, the glue was all over us. We had to literally had to pry our hands off of the trowel, the marker we were using to mark lines, and it got to the point where it became laughable to see what we could put our hands on without gripping it to see what we could pick up. God places us in situations for a reason. For learning, for coping, for helping others in need, and to branch out and lead others.







Today was a great day!!! I can't wait until the morning.....its only the beginning and we are so lucky to be able to share this with you.

Bethel Colony Project on June 29, 2009

Our job today was to go to a home and tear down a garage. The garage was severely damaged beyond repair from Katrina. The home is managed by a man named Harry who is on the staff at Bethel Colony. The home is being used for men in the second phase of their healing process from addictions. The first phase is 6 months inside Bethel Colony where they live, work, eat and sleep. Every morning in Bethel Colony the day starts with worship and every night ends the same way. It is only through the power of God and the fellowship of other believers that these men break their addiction. The second phase helps them transition back into society.

When the garage is torn down Bethel Colony will build another garage with apartments above the new garage. These men from phase 1 know God but they need help with the transition. They can live outside the Colony while they search for jobs and find a home church to keep their faith strong. This new garage will allow two additional men to live on the property. It currently is home to two men plus Harry. I wondered as we tore down the garage to make way for a new garage who would be staying here. I thought of how these men will serve God and impact their neighborhoods in the name of Christ. I hope they all honor Jesus that way.

Later that night as we gathered and sang praises to our God at a Church near to where we were staying a message came to me about the work we did that day. Our lives can look just like the job we were working on. Without God in our lives we tear down our lives with the sins of this world. Soon it looks broken beyond repair. But when Christ enters our hearts He tears down the old self and rebuilds us and makes all things new. Just like this old garage that gets torn down and a new one built in its place, Jesus makes us useful again for His glory and for kingdom work.

I wanted to share with you about Harry the man who managed this home. Part of what we like to do is to listen to the people of New Orleans. Harry shared his testimony and his home with us. His life has been restored through the power of God and Bethel Colony. He told us he went through this program twice with Bethel Colony. One time after finishing phase 1 when he thought he had made it, he slipped back into his old life style. He told us God broke his heart and right in the middle of his sin and he fell to his knees begging God to forgive him. He has stayed on the straight path ever since that day. He shared how Christ had changed his life. His life was no longer about how much money he can make or about his personal possessions. His life is about sharing the love of Christ to the people he meets and helping other men beat their addictions through the power of Christ in their lives.

On this day that we were scheduled to work he cancelled his doctor's appointment for a knee brace he needed from a car accident that totaled his truck. He cancelled his appointment to help us. He shared his house with us and insisted that the kids eat their lunch in his living room. How many people do that? His love for people and hearing him talk about God's forgiveness in his life is evident in how he cares for people. He is reflecting God's light in a dark world. His life led me to do a self evaluation. We all need to reflect God's light for the world to see and I encourage all of us to let your light shine today.

God Bless you and thank you for helping us do the work for the glory of God.

Tom Bendler

Ministry Madness at Bethel Colony (The Bumper Gets Busted)

While we were working at Bethel Colony, the guys were trying to tear down a fence. they tied one end of the chain to the fence and one end to the bumper of the van. As a result, well you saw what happened.

Elaina

Team Photos from Week 1

Group picture in front of Glasgow Church as we prepared to leave for the airport on Saturday.


During our tour of the ninth ward this morning, Steve Jeantet gave a brief overview of the effects of the devastation of Katrina and post-event related activities.

(Photos by Levi)

Diamonds in the Rough

Worship at St. Roch Church this morning was powerful. For those of us returning, we were immediately caught up in the changes in and around the church. Across the street, a huge construction site has been transformed into a park. Inside the sanctuary, the insulation that we purchased, installed and left exposed last year is now covered with beautiful walls and artwork. Instead of the sounds of hammers and saws, the sanctuary is filled with voices singing praises to a God who does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

I was encouraged by the ministry of this small congregation nestled in a community with such significant needs. We are running a race. Between this missional church, our Glasgow Church teams and other missions teams that have worked in St. Roch for the past 4 years, we just keep passing the baton. The work is progressing a step at a time and this church is growing.

But the lasting impression for me in all of these projects and activities is that the more we give, the more New Orleans has to offer. I stood in the sanctuary of St. Roch church this morning thinking of the words of Mother Teresa. She said, "Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them."

My heart feels full and we're just getting started.

Worship at St. Roch Community Church

This morning we were blessed to attend worship at St. Roch Community Church:


The park adjacent to St. Roch is no longer a messy, muddy construction site, but is now a beautiful community park, full of activities:


What a difference a year makes. Here is Pastor J.B. Watkins behind his pulpit this year:

Here is the team from last year with the exact same wall in the background with Pastor Watkins pictured on the right):

And so it begins...

After our long day of travel and a brief birthday celebration we got settled into Firehouse(our home for the next week). Steve and I were on shower guard duty tonight when it was so clearly revealed to us why we need shower guards. Two police cars rounded the corner and stopped a man on bike. They began a series of questions and patting the man down while Steve and I read 1st Peter and discussed what the next day's devotions would be. This would be the reason that we lock ourselves in at night! PSALM 27:5 says, "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." After all the excitement we revealed to team 1 a little about what their first full day in NOLA will look like. We will be attending church tomorrow at St. Roch, a PCA church plant located in the eighth ward. We will be able to start serving the people first thing in the morning by taking nursery duty so all of the congregation can worship together.

What to expect??

I must say that this experience has already been rewarding to my family and myself so far....With the anticipation of raising the donations that were needed to go, to which God has truly provided above and beyond, to this past week rushing, working, and finalizing every loose end in our material world...This has been a rewarding experience already. Our family looks forward to the time to mission to others and I personally have felt the Spirit motivating me from within. So what to expect? This question can only be answered by our Father's will and intentions he has for us. It is very humbling to see what I have seen so far. From the abandon and dilapidated buildings to the almost desolation we saw coming in to the our home for the week. Words cannot describe the ache I experience in my heart alone for what New Orleans has been through and I pray there was a way that I could just rebuild it all for them. The truth is, WE, can help build it, clean it, provide where others cannot, and mission to those who do not believe that there is a Lord God Almighty who is very real and sent us, as well as others, to help them rebuild......help them to believe!! I want to make this my mission and I feel empowered by our Father to do this. So....What to expect.....I cannot wait!!! Thank you to God and those who helped us to get here. More adventures to come.....

Fundraising Complete!

Before we get too far into this week, we wanted to stop and say thank you to all of you who have supported this trip with your prayers and with your money. Taking 50 people to New Orleans over the course of 2 weeks is not a cheap endeavor, but we have been amazed to see God provided. Our theme for these next two weeks is "infinitely more," taken from Ephesians 3:14-21, the passage we are all working to memorize together. Truly, God has done infinitely more than we could imagine by raising all the money we needed to pay our expenses and to be a blessing to the people of New Orleans. So again, thank you for your faithfulness!

Team 1 is here!

Just wanted to let everyone know that Team 1 has arrived. After a full day of travel, everyone is safe. Even the luggage all made it! Tonight was mostly setting the stage for the week to come, but we did get to celebrate Ryan Redcay's birthday Happy birthday Ryan! Stay tuned for more stories as the week unfolds.

"I lost everything"

As Kim and I were running errands around New Orleans today, I stopped in to get a haircut. Now, when women get their haircut, the person cutting the hair becomes some combination of stylist, counselor and confidant. Not really so for guys. It only takes about 10 minutes to cut my hair, so not a lot of talking gets done.

Today was different. Lisa was talkative. When she found out I was in New Orleans to serve, she was surprised and grateful. I asked her how the storm affected her life. Here is part of the story she shared with me...

I lost everything in the storm. I never had very much, but what I had, I lost. It made me realize that stuff is just not that important. It wasn't me that I felt bad for though. The house I owned before the storm had some mold that was causing health problems for me, so I was trying to sell it. I had some friends who had just renovated their houses and lost it all. I really felt bad for them.

One special thing happened to me. During the storm, the water in one closet rose just below a shelf and ruined everything except for that one shelf. On that shelf were some old home videos from when my kids were younger. My son is 20 and my daughter is 11. In those video, he is 9 and she is just learning to walk. For my birthday, I had all those videos put on DVD. It was really special for me.

This is now the 3rd consecutive summer that Kim and I have been in New Orleans. One thing that has struck me each time I've been here are the stories of real lives. We've all seen the pictures of the devastation Katrina caused. It's another to hear real people share their lives. I'm grateful that I met Lisa today. Not only did I get a nice haircut, but God used her to soften my heart to the ongoing needs of this city. Pray for our team. We believe God has infinitely more planned for his glory through our time here than we can even imagine. May we have compassionate hearts and eager hands that are ready to serve toward that end. Who knows. There may even be someone like Lisa for whom we can help create new memories to replace those washed away by the storm.

Week 1 Team - Tuesday Prayer Meeting

Some members from the Week 1 Team met tonight to pray for our trip, for each other, for the Jeantets, and for the people we will meet in New Orleans! We leave this Saturday and there were many praises for how God has been faithful and working mightily in our lives, as well as some of the challenges and barriers we're working through. We were reminded of God's word:

"Now to him who by his power within us is able to do infinitely more than we ever dare to ask or imagine - to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever, amen!" (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Missions at home

The call to missions is not just far away from home. In fact, it starts in our own backyard. The NOLA missions team is committed to serving here, in Delaware, as well as in New Orleans. That is why we partnered with the deacons at Glasgow Church for the "Judea Project." The Judea Project is an extreme home makeover for a family in Wilmington. When I first entered the house, there was nothing - no carpeting, no furniture, no beds, no dishes - nothing. Our team came in and patched the holes in the wall and painted the whole house. New flooring and carpeting is going in this week and furniture will be delivered soon. Here are few pictures from our day serving with the Judea Project.

2009 Mission to New Orleans!

Time has passed. The national focus and priorities have shifted. And yet, in New Orleans, there are still people desperate for hope, desperate for help.

Glasgow Church is responding to this call by going - in force and on a mission. This summer, over the course of two weeks, 50 people from Glasgow Church will be going to NOLA to serve. The first team in NOLA from June 27 through July 5. The second group will arrive July 3 and be there until July 11.

Pray that God would use us in amazing ways. As a team, we have committed to memorize Ephesians 3:14-21. In that passage, we read that God is able to do "infinitely more than we ever dare to ask or imagine." We are asking that God will do amazing things - infinitely greater things - than we can even imagine in and through us. Follow this site to see the pictures and read the stories from our trip. And finally, pray for us!

A few more memories

Here are a couple of videos to remind everyone of the trip and maybe to continue praying for these ministries:


St. Roch Community Church Plant



"Glory, Glory" at Bethel Colony South Transformation Ministry

Slideshow from New Orleans

Enjoy this little slideshow from our trip - God really is doing great things in that city!

Passing the Baton

We've been home for a few days now, but there is one thing that happened right at the end of our trip that I can't shake. We were at Enterprise, returning our rental cars, and I was standing at the counter waiting to pay. There, next to me, was a group that was picking up their cars. It seemed obvious to me that they were a church group, so I asked them where they were from. "Delaware," came the reply, to which I said, "Oh really, where?" "Newark." There, right next to us at Enterprise, just arriving, was a group of 23 from a church in Newark, ready to serve the Lord in New Orleans. After all that our team had accomplished in our week there, it was almost like a passing of the baton as another church just down the street from ours was showing up to continue God's work in that city. That was so encouraging to me.

I'm not sure I can event count the times in our week in NOLA where I heard, "If it wasn't for the church coming to serve, this city would not be where it is today." Time and time again, from pastors to community residents made the same comment. It brings tears to my eyes and as I think about God's passion for these people and how faithful his church has been at extending compassion to them. That truly is what it means to be salt, light and a city on a hill. That is the very purpose for which God has placed us here in this world. When God's people serve those who are hurting, outcasts or outsiders, they are bringing God's kingdom to bear on the earth, and that is cause to celebrate!

Home Safely

We're tired, sad, excited, grateful and more, but we are home safely. Thank you to all who prayed for our travel yesterday. Keep your eyes on this site as more stories will continue to be posted. God bless each of you today.